Programming using a Hardware Description Language

Programming & Embedded Systems

Skill owner: Dr Uriel Martinez Hernandez

Purpose: Programming in Hardware Description Language (HDL) prepares engineers to design, simulate, implement and verify digital systems in software for their deployment in hardware. In year 2 you will design and implement more complex digital systems designs than year 1 including counters, clocks, electronic locks, video controller and a microprocessor.

Requirements: To claim this skill your page will showcase the aspects listed below, focusing on complex digital systems combining both combinational and sequential logic such as electronic locks, program counters and microprocessors:

  1. A brief explanation (20-50 words) of the tasks performed by the digital systems used for screenshots and video recording in the requirements 2 and 3 below.
  2. Screenshots (2 maximum) of key snippets of code of your digital modules. The snippets of code must include brief comments describing their functionality.
  3. A video (1-minute video maximum) that demonstrates the correct functionality of your digital system. The video must show the input signals (e.g., switches, push buttons of your FPGA) and the resulting output signal (e.g., on the LEDs and 7-segment displays of your FPGA).
--- # Skills Framework Levels

The purpose of this Skills Framework is to evidence your acquisition of important engineering skills. Thus, it combines a combination of technical and transferable skills in eleven broad categories. It is designed so that the final portfolio can be used as a showcase of your skills attainment.

To reflect the differing levels of skills attainment, each of the skills in this framework can be demonstrated at three different levels:
Knowledge: Achieved when you follow instructions to demonstrate the skill.
Application: Achieved when you demonstrate the skill at request without instructions, and you have reflected on the skill's success. A critical reflection demonstrates your understanding of the skill by highlighting what went well and what could be improved (50-100 words).
Synthesis: Achieved when you have demonstrated the skill without guidance or instruction for a specific project, justifying your choice of using the skill and you have reflected on the skill's success (see above). Your justification should include an explanation of why you have used the skill to contribute towards a defined objective for a whole system / project. The choice of the skill must be supported by evidence showing that it is the best solution compared to other options. This allows you to demonstrate your understanding of when this skill is appropriate and how it fits within a wider context (50-100 words). There is also an expectation that you are demonstrating this skill effectively to achieve synthesis.

Each skill will have specific requirements for the skill to be satisfactorily endorsed. In addition, there are overarching requirements for all pages of your ePortfolio. If any page does not satisfy these requirements, the page will not be considered in any further detail.

  1. The page comprises an introduction that summarises all the digital artefacts on the page.
  2. Every digital artefact (e.g. photos, figures, videos and other non-text items) must clearly show the username of everyone contributing to the work in such a way as to authenticate the intellectual ownership of the artefact.
  3. All the skills being claimed are arranged below a 'Skills Mapping' block at the bottom of the page, as per the template.
    4. n
  4. Within the annotation block you have clearly specified what skill level you are claiming and why.</li>
  5. The page is of sufficient quality to present to people external to the University.
  6. The page has fewer than 5 errors such as spelling mistakes or other typographical errors.
  7. Any evidence in audio format must be recorded in a quiet, stable environment, with clear speech at a moderate pace, to ensure clarity and comprehensibility.
    8. </ol> # Labs Demonstrating This Skill

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